Abstract

A lack of interest on the part of some researchers and a lack of careful study on the part of others has led to unsatisfactory presentation and utilization of ceramic material in the great majority of historic period archaeological reports. Although several typologies have been offered in recent years, most of these suffer from a lack of knowledge of ceramic technology, from imprecise logic and from failure to reflect meaningful data. The Artifact Research Laboratory of the National Historic Sites Service has oriented some of its research towards the determination, quantification and adequate expression of those characteristics that reflect the technological, temporal, spatial and functional qualities of the material. The problems of classification are not yet solved but temporary measures have to be taken to assure adequate communication and proper utilization of data both by the archaeologist and the researchers.